All lit up: Diwali festival begins at Krishna, Balmik mandirs

Families from all over the country are celebrating.

LAHORE:

“It is heartening to see the Diwali tradition thrive in Lahore over the last few years. Over the years it has brought people with various religious beliefs together,” said Kiran Raj, who has been participating in Diwali festivities for the last 20 years. “My favorite part of Diwali are the fireworks after the puja that continue until midnight,” she said.

Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims and Christians from across Pakistan, particularly interior Sindh and the Punjab, showed up for Diwali festivities which started at Krishna Mandir on Ravi Road, and Balmik Mandir in Neela Gumbud on Tuesday evening.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan has arranged the lighting and food at the two mandirs. The celebrations will continue until Thursday when the visiting Hindus and Sikhs will return home.

Azhar Abbas, the caretaker of the Gurdwara who was making arrangements at the Krishna Mandir, told The Express Tribune, that the Diwali festivities would continue for three days at both the mandirs.

According to Abbas, as many as 400 Hindus, 100 Sikhs and 200 to 300 Muslims and Christians showed up for the first day at the two mandirs. Hindu families living in Chakwal, Hyderabad, Jacobabad and Rawalpindi and Sikhs from Nankana Sahib were also slated to visit during the three days of festivities, he said. Abbas said some visitors stay with families and friends while others are accommodated at the Gurdwara.

He said currently 40 Hindus and about 60 Sikhs were staying at the Gurdwara.

Abbas said the budget for arranging Diwali festivities had been raised since 2009 to almost Rs1 million. “This has enabled more people to join the celebrations at the mandir during the last two years.”

“I have been with the ETPB since 1999 and at least 200 per cent more people show up now. In 2008, only 50 people showed up for Diwali. But last year, there were about 2,000 at the Krishna Mandir and about 500 at the Balmik Mandir.”

Besides leading the prayers the pundits also narrate popular stories from the Ramayan and the Bhagvad Gita.

Later, children and teenagers light lamps, sing bhajans, and light fireworks. Free snacks and gift vouchers are also distributed by the ETPB officials during the festivities, Abbas said. On the second day of Diwali, a dinner is arranged by the Hindu community in collaboration with the ETPB, he added. Hindus and Sikhs staying at the Gurdwara are also invited, he added.

Sikhs revere Diwali because Hargobind, the sixth guru, and 52 princes were set free on the day by Emperor Jehangir in 1619.

Bhagat Lal, who has been holding a puja on Diwali for the last 17 years, told The Express Tribune that his forefathers had been holding the puja for the last 150 years at the Balmik Mandir. He said he took over after his father’s voice became too shrill to continue. “Even though many people of other religions come out of curiosity, it feels good to see more people participate.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2012.